Utilities prepare to make ‘a day without water’ unimaginable

Water is so essential for daily life that most people in North America can’t imagine not having access to it. Imagine a Day Without Water, celebrated this year on Oct. 17, is an annual U.S. observance to increase public awareness about the value of water and the crucial services that water utilities provide across the country.

Unfortunately, when natural disasters hit – as when Hurricane Helene devastated much of the southeastern United States this week – water service can be unavoidably disrupted, and communities experience firsthand what life without water entails. Public health is immediately at risk, everyday conveniences are gone, and businesses cannot operate. (Pictured above, leak detection technology in action in New York City.)

Most people in North America, however, will live their lifetimes without experiencing a “day without water,” thanks to water systems working around the clock to ensure reliable access and delivery of safe tap water. From coast to coast, utilities take steps to protect the reliability and resilience of their systems in the face of climate change, aging infrastructure and natural disasters.

For example, on the West Coast, severe drought has tested utility resilience in recent years.  As climate change exacerbates extreme weather conditions, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC)

works closely with residents and local businesses to promote water conservation. To manage stormwater, SFPUC engages residents through programs like Adopt-a-Drain to help maintain the city’s drainage systems and reduce flood risks.

“Our relationship with the community in emergencies is the same as it is during non-emergencies, and it’s embodied in our mission: we are here to serve you,” said Dennis Herrera, SFPUC’s general manager. “We aim to have a regular cadence of communication with our customers year-round, including sharing information on how to prepare for emergency situations.”

Community engagement is the linchpin of SFPUC’s strategy to manage system challenges and emergencies.

“SFPUC crews work tirelessly 24/7 to monitor our utility systems and respond to water main breaks, power outages, and sewer issues regardless of weather, holiday, or time of day,” Herrera said. “We also staff around-the-clock on-call communications support.”

Building infrastructure resilience with technology

In other places, preventing a day without water requires a focus on keeping infrastructure healthy and reliable. In New York City, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is leveraging advanced leak detection technology to proactively identify and repair leaks before they escalate into major water main breaks.

“There are about 6,500 miles of water mains in New York City that supply water to every property in the city,” said Anastasios Georgelis, deputy commissioner of DEP’s Bureau of Water and Sewer Operations. “Water main breaks are driven by a combination of factors such as weather, pressure, material type and damage during other utility excavation.”

To minimize the frequency and impact of water main breaks, the DEP’s leak detection team uses acoustical equipment to listen for sounds that indicate a leak. Once a leak is identified, the team uses pinpointing technology to locate its precise location for repair.

“These leak detection technologies help reduce property damage and liability, help reduce disruption of roadway surface, help reduce unplanned water outages and other utility impacts, and even minimize disruption of transit, commercial, and cultural activities,” said Georgelis.

During its 2023 fiscal year, DEP inspected 1,222 miles of water main and prevented 82 water main breaks.

Drawing on strategies like proactive leak detection, community partnerships and a host of others, utilities work tirelessly to prevent “a day without water” from becoming a real experience. Visit imagineadaywithoutwater.org to learn more.